The city once known as “Iowa by the sea” was well on its way to becoming the “International City” of today when Ernie Kell rose from councilman to mayor in 1984. His mayorship was a time of social and economic transition and growing pains. Kell took on those challenges for ten years as mayor, leaving office after nearly twenty years on the City Council.

This affable self-made millionaire, aviator, and politician, originally from North Dakota, will have no shortage of stories and anecdotes about his life and times, both in and out of Long Beach. He may even have a word or two about a certain former Long Beach vice mayor/wife. Mayor Kell will be interviewed by HSLB past president and erstwhile city council colleague Evan Braude.

Last week, attendees to the interview of Mayor Eunice Sato included Police Chief Anthony Batts,
City Prosecutor Tom Reeves, Harbor Commissioner Dr. Mike Walters, and Civil Service Commission President Ahmed Saafir, among many others. Come be a witness to history in the making at the Historical Society of Long Beach.

Admission will be $10 at the door for non-HSLB Members. Admission for students and HSLB Members is free. All events of the series will be conducted in the Historical Society’s Main Gallery at 4260 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, California 90807 in Bixby Knolls. For more information call 562.424.2220.